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I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Chap. 




Shelf 






I^^-Ml^ 



P UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



jOriNSTONiBOQi^ 
BOOK BINDERS AND 



THE LIIFE] 



AND MILITARY SERYICES 



OF THE LATE 



By D. W. MAULL, M. D. 

Formerly Surgeon in Chief, zd Division, zd Army Corps, 



WILMINGTON, DKI,. 

II. & E. P. JAMES, PRINTERS. 



1870. 



E4G 



1 



. ^nc>H^ 



INTRODUCTION. 



These Memoirs originated in the action of the Delaware State 
Historical Society, which in the year 1866, actuated by a laudable 
State pride in the reputation of its patriot dead, and by a desire to 
preserve in its archives the records of such fallen heroes, by resolu- 
tion, invited the author to prepare an essay upon " The Life and 
Military Services of Brigadier General Thomas A. Smyth," to be 
read at a future meeting of the Society. 

In addition to this stimulus to engage in the labor, there was 
another one in the fact that the friends of Gen. Smyth generally de- 
sired, in a more connected and compact form than editorial comments, 
letters of newspaper correspondents, general orders, congratulatory ad- 
dresses, press dispatches and written military reports could shape, some 
narrative of his life; a kind of aggregation of many of the favorable 
notices and acknowledgements of military services rendered, he had 
received from both commanders and troops. 

The task was a labor of love, and was accepted, if not with 
confidence, at least with the will and intent to chronicle as faithfully 
as possible with the means at command, the career of the gallant 
soldier, and to represent him as he appeared in the estimation of those 
who knew him best in that field in which he so signally distinguished 
himself. 

The task completed, the results were given in these reminis- 
cences, at a meeting of the Historical Society convened for the 
purpose. 

Though at the time, many of the General's friends- — ever anxious 
to keep the impression of his deeds fresh upon the minds of the 
community — desired and advised the publication of these Memoirs, 
no active steps were taken in this direction. But latterly some par- 
ties, feeling assured that it was due to the General's memory that the 
narrative of his life should be given to the public, and satisfied that 



such a narrative would find a ready sale, not only among his old 
comrades in arms, who have never ceased to feel a deep interest in 
all that has pertained to him, but among his friends generally, who 
admired his course and rejoiced in his renown, solicited these papers 
with the view to their publication. 

With no interest in the enterprise save to acquit ourself as the 
friend and biographer of a brave man, we shall feel that it was a 
pleasure to have striven to do justice to his revered memory by col- 
lating the main facts and circumstances which made him a hero. 

October, 1S69. 



MEMOIR. 



If to secure the gratitude of a people by a military 
career of high reputatiou in its service, to develop the 
qualities of a hero in its behalf, to reflect an honor upon 
his State by a line of life marked by a succession only 
of brave deeds, to show a pure and unselfish patriotism, 
and then yield his life a willing sacrifice to his adopted 
country, entitle one to be commemorated, the late Brig- 
adier General Thomas A. Smyth is eminently worthy of 
such a. distinction. 

His active agency in tlie addition of some pages to 
History has acquired for him the right to become historic, 
and to secure for himself honorable mention in the an- 
nals of Delaware ; and having shed some lustre on the 
records of the late war, it is just that he should be re- 
flected in those chronicles. His claims upon posterity 
for the honor and perpetuation of his memory will be 
enforced by a recognition of qualities in him which in- 
spired respect, made him deservedly popular with his 
fellow-men, and caused his death to be regarded as a na- 
tional loss, by the almost romantic incident and interest 
with Avhich l|e had invested a noble life, and by the pres- 
ent high estimate of a fame which is cherished not only 
by the thousands that served with and under him, and 



is as dear to them as their honor as soldiers, but by those 
at home who watched his upward course witli so much 
pride and pleasure. 

In gallantry and extent of service towering above all 
who represented this State in the army, he will be re- 
membered as a prominent, central figure, upon whom 
much attention was concentered, and who became the 
theme of praise for many tongues ; as one who made 
himself illustrious, having distinguished himself by his 
valor, and who, without adventitious aids, as high social 
status or influence of party, but by mere force of the com- 
manding qualities inherent in him, grade by grade, ele- 
vated himself to the position which he so richly merited 
and which he so ably filled. 

The main points of his history prior to the commence- 
ment of his military course, are the only ones that need 
be adverted to in this connexion, and that very briefly. 
It is his soldier-life that is to be more fully noted. 

The subject of this memoir was born on December 
25th, 1832 in Ballyhooly, County of Cork, Ireland. His 
parents were Thomas and Margaret Smyth : his Father 
was a farmer, in which business the son assisted after 
leaving school. His advantages for acquiring an educa- 
tion were limited, but by means of travel through Eng- 
land and Scotland, and a considerable stay in London 
and Paris, he managed to glean a certain knowledge of 
the world whicli lie made available in later life. 

Having come to this country in August 1854, he set- 
tled in Philadelphia, where he followed the business of 
carving, and where he remained until the promise of the 
excitement, and a leaning to military life, influenced him 



to join Walker's forces in Nicaraugua. It is fair to pre. 
sume that his experiences in that irregular contest were 
not of the most agreeable character, as he carefully 
avoided referring to them : certain it is, he was glad to 
return to the States. 

In the early part of the year 1858, he made Wilming- 
ton his home, and on July 7th ot the same year, was 
married to Miss Amanda M. Pounder. In this city he 
was living when the war broke out. Having previously 
been an officer in a Militia Company here — the First 
Irrational Guards, he considered that it was peculiarly 
jB.tting that he should identify himself with some milita- 
ry organization for active service in the field. 

Accordingly in April, 1861, feeling it a duty he owed 
to the country of his adoption to aid it in its trials, he 
raised in this City a company for the three months ser- 
vice, expecting to have it accepted by Delaware ; but 
finding that there would be delay, and becoming impa- 
tient at the inactivity or indijfference of the State author- 
ities, he took his company to Philadelphia, where it was 
accepted as Co. H. in the 24th Pa., Vols., Col., afterwards 
Brig. Gen. Joshua T. Owen commanding. 

During his connection with this organization, very 
little opportunity was aftbrded him to display those mil- 
itary qualities which subsequently made him so conspic- 
uous. The Regiment, much of the time, was encamped 
in Maryland or Virginia, near the Potomac, and did little 
real service, save watching fords and getting ready for 
more active work. But even in this line of duty he 
showed himself worthy of confidence, and caused those 
who observed his course to feel that he was in earnest : 



8 

and Geu. Owen remarked long after, to tlio writer of 
these pages, that he found Smyth to be a man of remark- 
able judgment, tact and penetration, and that his bravery 
and prudence always influenced him to send Captain 
Smj'th out on any expedition where danger was likely 
to be encountered ; and he additionally remarked that 
his trust in this officer was so implicit, that he had no 
doubt he had sometimes imposed on the young man 
labors that others should have shared : but that this 
officer never complained of the many duties of the kind 
he was called upon to perform, but discharged them 
faithfully, understandingly and cheerfully. Subsequent- 
ly these two Generals served in the same Division, and 
were much together. 

After the muster out of the Kegiment, Capt. Smyth 
returned to "Wilmington where he found the First Dela- 
ware Vols, reorganizing for three years service. With- 
out having made any effort to urge his claims upon that 
command, he was, Oct. 2d., chosen Major and entered 
promptly upon his duties with the Regiment then en- 
camped at ITare's Corner, and soon, by his urbanity, 
made himself popular with officers and men. 

During the stay of the Regiment at Fortress Monroe, 
embracing the time from the latter part of October to 
May, the Major remained at his post, devoting himself 
with ardor to the drilling of the men. Here was a good 
opportunity for him to study military science, and he 
took advantage of it. There was nothing here however 
to call out his latent genius. 

Passing over the cajtture of Norfolk and the occupa- 
tion of SuHblk, we find little incident until the Battle of 



Antietam. Before that eveut, Major Smytli was only 
known as an excellent officer on drill, vigilant on picket, 
prndent in little expeditionary movements, very consci- 
entious in the discharge of his duties, and withal a clever 
gentleman. 

But the fight at Antietam demonstrated that he pos- 
sessed other attributes of a militar}' man, as ho, on that 
occasion, displayed great personal bravery, and promptly 
opened the eyes of the Keg't to the fact that a man of 
courage was among their number; and though he was 
in too subordinate a position to attract much attention 
as a man of mark, from those above him, he had not 
failed to cause the members of the command to canvass 
his merits, and he then laid the foundation for that con- 
fidence which the First Delaware ever afterwards repos- 
ed in him : the men had correctly gauged him, and found 
he was ready to lead them wherever he desired them to 
go. 

At the Battle of Fredericksburg, he added materially 
to this reputation. The 1st Delaware under his com- 
mand was detailed to act as skirmishers, and as such 
opened the engagement in front of that Division. 

The reports of his superior officers on that occasion 
may be accepted as the best testimony of his conduct. 
Col. Andrews, in his ofiicial report, says " having already 
testified to the good conduct of those under my imme- 
diate command, it becomes my duty also to state that the 
First Delaware Regiment detached as skirmishers, were 
reported as having behaved with great courage and en- 
durance : that after driving the enemy's skirmishers, they 
sustained alone their fire for a considerable time before 

B 



10 

the supporting column arrived, and after spending all 
their ammunition, they retired in good order. Major 
T. A. Smyth in command is represented as having dis- 
played much coolness and ability." Lieut. Col. Marshall 
of the 10th N. Y. Vols, who commanded the Brio;ade 
subsequently, says in his report, "The 1st Reg't Del. Vols. 
deserves particular mention for the manner in which, as 
skirmishers, it opened the engagement and remained on 
the field until every cartridge was expended,"' and among 
other officers mentioned as having behaved with distin- 
guished bravery, Major Smyth's name appears. 

The following is an excerpt from Major Smyth's re- 
port; " was ordered to report to Brig. Gen. Kimball com- 
manding First Brigade, who, in turn, ordered the Reg't 
to the front as skirmishers, and informing me that Col. 
Mason who was General officer of the day, commanding 
the picket, would direct me to my position. At 12 M. 
the Reg't marched out the Rail Road, crossing the canal 
bridge under a severe fire ; deploying the Reg't to the 
left and forwarding, we forced back the enemy's pickets 
into their rifle-pits ; still under a heavy fire of grape, 
cannister, musketry and shell; took a position under the 
brow of the hill, this side of the stone wall, where we 
lay for one hour without being reinforced, and which 
position our men held until 4 P. M., during which time 
they expended all their ammunition, receiving fresh sup- 
plies from the troops coming up." 

On the 18th of December, at a meeting of the officers 
of the Regiment, he was unanimously elected Lieut. Col. 
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Lieut. 
Col. Oliver Hopkinson, and on the 30th of the same 



11 

mouth he was commissioned by the Governor. Another 
promotion soon followed, for Col. John W. Andrews 
havino^ resigned, Smyth was commissioned as Colonel 
on the 7th of February. 

Col. Smyth was favored at Chancellorsville with a fine 
opportunity to develop more fully the gallantry that had 
been cropping out in the previous fights. We cannot do 
better than copy his report of that engagement. 

" I have the honor to report that in obedience to Gen. 
orders No. 37, from Headquarters 3d Division 2d Corps, 
the Reg't under my command marched from its camp 
near Falmouth at sunrise on the morning of the 28th of 
April, having position in the centre of the 3d Brigade. 
We moved up the road towards Banks' Ford, near which 
place we halted about 11 o'clock A. M. and bivouacked 
for the remainder of the day and night. At 2 P. M. on 
the following day the march was resumed, and crossing 
the Rappahannock early in the evening at U. S. Ford, 
we moved up the road towards Chancellorsville, halting 
within a mile of that place about 11 P. M. On the Ist 
of May the Reg't remained in column, under arms, with- 
out moving. On the morning of the 2d the enemy be- 
gan shelling our position, but without effect. Late in the 
afternoon, the Reg't was formed in line of battle facing 
the right. About six o'clock in the evening, the 11th 
army corps having given way on the right, the Reg't was 
moved to the left of the Chancellorsville road, four com- 
panies being thrown across the road to aid in arresting 
the stragglers. After the panic had somewhat subsided, 
we received orders from Major JSTorval to support Captain 
Frank's Battery posted in the open field to the right of 



12 

the Headquarters of Major General French, one compa- 
ny under command of Captain Smith being thrown for- 
ward to the edge of the woods as a picket guard, where 
it remained during the night. On the morning of the 
3d we were moved by order of Major General French a 
short distance to the left, ready to advance to the support 
of the 1st Brigade, then moving to reinforce the 3d 
Corps heavily engaged with the enemy in front. While 
in this position a temporary breast work, formed of knap- 
sacks, fence rails and bags of earth was erected as a pro- 
tection against the tire of the enemy's infantry. About 
7 A. M. the 3d Corps being hard pressed in front, gave 
way, and in company with the 132d Pennsylvania Vol- 
unteers we advanced to the edge of the woods, where 
we encountered the enemy in considerable force and 
drove him for the distance of half a mile. Then the 
enemy having been reinforced, we halted and held him 
in check for about three hours, when the Brigade on our 
right gave way, allowing the enemy to gain a position 
upon our right flank and rear. Being thus exposed to 
a galling fire from three directions, the Regiment chang- 
ed front to the rear on the 10th Company, in perfect or- 
der, and assisted with the fire from one of the Batteries, 
repulsed the enemy, when having received orders to re- 
treat, we fell back in good order, and took our position 
in the rear of the Ist Brigade. The enemy liaving range 
of our position, opened upon us "with shell, upon which 
we retired in obedience to orders, into the woods. Hav- 
ing rested for about an hour, we were ordered to the 
front to support the 1st Brigade. Taking a position on 
the 2d line of battle, we remained there, frequently ex- 



13 

posed to a hot fire of shell and musketry, until 3 o'clock 
on the morning of the 6th, when we took up our line of 
march to the River. Without halting we crossed the 
pontoon Bridge at U. 8. Ford, and reached our old camp 
about noon. 

" Our loss in the five days, during which time we were 
exposed to the fire of the enemy, was 6 killed, 38 wound- 
ed and 10 missing. The conduct of the officers and 
men is worthy of all praise. The men who fought so 
bravely at Antietam and Fredericksburg forgot not their 
record, nor tailed to add to it another page inscribed 
with glorious deeds of patriotic valor." 

The move which he refers to, having been made in the 
dense wilderness— changing front to rear on 10th Com- 
pany — was spoken of at the time as having been a master- 
ly one on a small scale. A mind guided it that had retain^. 
^ ed its self-possession : he preserved his coolness during 
the heavy fire, and having caused his command to share 
his coolness, he extricated it from its position of peril and 
led it calmly from the field. These movements had been 
watched by superior oflicers and admired, and Major 
General French promptly recommended him for a Brig- 
adier General, and used his efforts to secure the position 
for him. 

During all of this series of movements, . embracing 
several days, Colonel Smyth was prompt in the execution 
of all commands, failing not in the slightest detail, always 
observant, and withal full of fight : and by the time 
the operations had ceased, other commands than the 1st 
Delaware had remarked that Colonel Smyth had material 



14 

out of which soldiers are made, and that lie was destined 
to bocome an officer of mark. 

Very shortly after this campaign, Colonel Smyth was 
assigned to the command of the 2c1 Brigade, 3d Division, 
2d army corps. Here a more extended field for the dis- 
play of his military powers was offered him. Before, 
he had but one Regiment to command : here he had five, 
and it was correctly supposed that an officer who could 
manipulate his own Regiment so skillfully and bring out 
its prowess so strongly, would be very apt to succeed 
with several organizations in a corresponding manner: 
besides, there was another incentive : there was increased 
responsibility, and this would necessitate increased labor 
and watchfulness. He was equal to the duty, and never 
appeared to question his own ability, feeling a certain 
confidence in himself: and he was not mistaken in his 
estimate of his powers, for there were few civilian Gen- 
erals who could handle a Brigade with more skill or get 
more fight out of it : on drill, on the march, or in an en- 
gagement, the freedom and ease with which he manoeu- 
vered it were apparent. Before he gave an order, he al- 
ways knew precisely what he wanted to have accomplish- 
ed, and he always saw that it was accomplished with the 
utmost promptitude. With him, in military movement, 
there was neither blunder nor delay, and when a com- 
manding officer gave him an order, he knew it would be 
executed if possible. 

Gettysburg was the first engagement in which Smyth 
had commanded a Brigade. Here he was conspicuous 
for bravery, exposing himself at all points where he 
thought his duty called him. Here General Alexander 



15 

Hays wag in charge of the Division which held an im- 
portant point, and Smyth was one of his Brigade com- 
manders. On the third day of the tight, Pettigrew^s 
Division which was opposed to Hays' Division, received 
in its advance upon the troops of the latter, what Swin- 
ton, in his History of the army of the Potomac has 
characterized as a, feu d' enfer, and which fire caused the 
troops of the former to break in disorder leaving many 
prisoners behind. Smyth reports that in that conflict 
his Brigade captured nine stands of colors and many 
prisoners. There was no faltering among his men : he 
was ever present to inspire them and cheer : his intre- 
pidity and zeal were communicated to his troops, and 
the enemy in his front suffered in consequence. 

In the afternoon of the last day of the fight, he was 
wounded on the nose and head by fragments of shell ; 
the wound of the face bled profusely, and both wounds 
gave him no little pain; his face was considerably dis- 
figured by the swelling, and he was weakened by the loss 
of blood ; but he remained on the field until Gen. Hays 
ordered him to leave for surgical assistance, telling him 
that any man who was bleeding as he was, was a fitter 
subject for the Hospital than for the field. Accordingly 
the Colonel sought his surgeon, and his wounds were soon 
dressed. It having been remarked to him that his profile 
was somewhat marred by the wound, the hero replied that 
he was perfectly willing to sacrifice his nose for the sake 
of his country, and that the injury was a slight matter 
as compared with the glorious victory just won. 

Generals Hancock and Hays complimented him high- 
ly and recommended him for promotion at once: they 



16 

ever after spoke in warmest terms of praise of Smyth, 
and had the greatest confidence in him. 

Colonel Smyth did not ask for or desire a leave of ab- 
sence on account of his wounds, but preferred to remain 
with the army, in view of the movements then in pro- 
gress. The day following the fight he returned to the 
field, and in a few days resumed command of the Brig- 
ade, much to the delight of all of the troops, who had 
in the short time he had commanded them, become great- 
ly attached to him. , 

During that summer he was taken quite ill with a re- 
mittent fever, at Bristorburg, Fauquier County, Va. and 
was sent home on a sick leave, but returned in time to 
take a very active part in the engagement at Bristow 
Station, and in the movements around Warrenton, Cen- 
treville and Culpepper. 

At Mine Run there was no great amount of fighting. 
The labor of withdrawing the pickets during the night 
of the retreat was a very delicate and dangerous one ; as 
the two armies were entrenched so near to each other 
it was essential to the success of the retrograde move- 
ment that there should be no blunder in the withdrawal 
of the pickets. Colonel Smyth volunteered to bring 
them ofi", and he did it successfully, and by hard march- 
ing overtook the main column before day light. This 
one act of his showed that he not only was not afraid of 
danger, but rather courted it. 

At the close of this mouth, I)eceml)er, Colonel Smyth 
re-enlisted with the Regiment as a veteran, and the Com- 
mand returned to Wilmington to enjoy a 30 days fur- 
lough. Whilst on this visit, he was the recipient of 



17 

many marks of favor from his fellow citizens: he had 
inodificd his prospects sensibly since his departure from 
the state. His friends were becoming proud of tlie re- 
cord he was making for himself, for he was the subject 
of frequent and complimentary newspaper paragraphs, 
and the correspondents of the Daily press were calling 
attention to his deeds in most flattering terms, and his 
lame had now become more than local. 

On the night of January 25th, at a supper of the 
Burns' Anniversary, he was presented with a handsome 
sword, sash, belt and shoulder straps by some of his 
Wilminarton friends and admirers : his Diary records the 
fact that the presentation speech was made by Mr. Rob- 
erts. 

In the month of April 1861, the Potomac army which 
was encamped for the most part, about Stevensburgh, 
Va. was re-organized : Brigades having been very greatly 
reduced in strength, were merged into others, so that 
many Colonels who had been in command of Brigades 
were oblio-ed to return to their llegimcnts. But the 
services of Colonel Smyth were too fully estimated to be 
thus dispensed with, and he was accordingly assigned to 
the Command of the Irish Brigade in the 1st Division, 
Gen. Barlow commanding. He retained this command 
until the 17th of May, when he was ordered to return to 
his former Division, the 2d, and take command of the 
2d Brigade, General Carroll having been wounded. 
Whilst in command of the Irish Brigade, he fought it 
in the Wilderness and Spottsylvania. 

A correspondent who was in that organization, when 
the charge was made on the enemy's woi-ks at Spottsyl- 



18 

vania on the 12tli of May, thus writes: "the Brigade, 
in solid column, marched up within three hundred yards 
of the jaws of death, and at a given signal, in one voice, 
gave vent to the round, full ringing Federal shout, and 
charged in the face of a storm of leaden hail. The 
movement was eminently successful, and reflects lasting 
credit upon the intrepid, the gallant Colonel Smyth, 
whose name is already written in letters of gold on the 
scroll of military fame. Standing at the head of the, 
column where the charge was made, he was slightly 
wounded, and taken from the field. Thirty minutes had 
not elapsed when we were in the quiet possession of 22 
pieces of cannon, 12 stands of colors and 8000 prisoners, 
including 2 Miijor Generals. The second Brigade may 
well feel proud of their officers. Colonel Smyth was 
born to command and be respected, and when he takes 
the lead, his valiant men follow his footsteps, no matter 
what impending barriers rise up to impede their pro- 
gress. He is the man for the times, the man for the 
dangerous sphere where he is now engaged, not rash, 
but prudent, and firm as granite in time of danger, and 
for his strategic movements, he cannot be outflanked by 
older Generals in the field." 

Though he had commanded the Irish Brigade but a 
few weeks, he had made his reputation with those troops 
before he left them. To show the sentiment which pre- 
vailed throughout that command with reference to him, 
we cannot do better than by quoting some of the pleas- 
ant testimonials he received. General Barlow thus ex- 
presses himself. *•' The General commanding the Divis- 
ion takes occasion to express his great regret at thus 



19 

losing the services of Colonel Smyth. He desires to 
express in the strongest terms, his appreciation of the 
courage, skill and soldierly qualities of Colonel Smyth, 
his satisfaction at the success which that officer has had 
in improving the condition and discipline of his com- 
mand in camp, and his gallantry in fighting it in the field. 
Colonel Smyth will be a valuable accession to any com- 
mand." 

The following lines were addressed to him by a mem- 
ber of the Irish Brigade upon his leaving that organiza- 
tion, and betrays the afl['ection felt for him. 

" Must friendship be strengthened by time? 

Is the growth of affection so slow? 
Ah ! no 'tis a feeling sublime, 

Like the sun bursting forth in full glow. 
Though few were the days you were here. 

Your memory never shall fade ; 
No man on this earth is more dear, 

Than "Tom Smyth" of the Irish Brigade. 

" Kind nature has marked on thy face. 

The virtues that glow in thy soul : 
She gave thee courage and grace. 

The gallant to win and control ; 
The Irishman's laugh from the heart, 

The tongue that no friend e'er betrayed : 
Oh I the boast and the model thou art, 

" Tom Smyth " of the Irish Brigade. 

"Tom Smyth," proud Columbia can boast 

Of no soldier more loyal or true ; 
No star from her flag shall be lost, 

While she's guarded by heroes like you. 
We grudge not our blood iu her cause, 

Nor her young men beneath her turf laid ; 
But we'll fight for her union and laws, 

" Tom Smyth, " and the Irish Brigade. 



20 

" May come back sweet, peace to this land ; 

May love o'er her gallant sons reign ! 
May the North and the South hand in hand 

Sweep all foes from the land and the main. 
And then may we free our green home : 

May her tyrants forever be laid I 
And then may fair liberty bloom, 

" Tom Smyth " and our Irish Brigade." 

The following address Avas sent to Colonel Smyth 
upon his departure from the Brigade, every officer of 
which Brigade having signed the testimonial. 

" Irish Brigade, May 20, 1864. 
Colonel, 

Your farewell address caused us mingled feelings 
of regret and pride : regret, for it was the signal of the 
departure of our loved and valued friend: pride, for it 
told us our worth was estimated by one whose respect 
we covet and whose sincerity we prize. 

Long before 3'our late connection with our Brigade, 
we were in the habit of hearing your merits extolled as 
a soldier and a gentleman, and the more we knew you, 
the more we were convinced that the praise of your 
many friends did not exceed your deserts. 

You leave us after having led us on the battle field, 
with a gallantry never before surpassed, and delighted us 
in private by your frankness and cordiality. In you are 
combined the loyal American, the patriotic Irishman and 
the high-minded Gentleman. You are called away from 
us, but our aft'ections will follow you. You leave no fad- 
ing mcmor}' in our hearts, and may the God of battles 
preserve you for the glory of this great land, the freedom 
of Ireland, and the happiness of your social circle. This 



21 

is the fervent prayer of every one in the Irish Brio-ade. 
Farewell." 

With these men Colonel Smyth was the beau ideal 
of the Irish soldier and gentleman : dashing and brave, 
and with as kind a heart as ever throbbed ; in their esti- 
mation he embodied the gallantry of their race, and was 
the type of the manly, heroic and gentle. He could ex- 
cite their enthusiasm and sway them as he willed, and it 
was always considered perfectly fitting that such a brave 
man should command such a brave Brigade of the same 
nationality. 

It was at about this period that much indignation 
was felt among Smyth's military friends that he had not 
been promoted : they argued that he had already accom- 
plished enough to entitle him to advancement: his merit 
had been fully recognized in the army, and recommen- 
dation after recommendation had been forwarded to the 
war Department, but he had no political iniioence that 
CO operation might be secured, and it was a surprise with 
all that the politicians in Delaware who were perfectly 
conversant with the brilliant record he was making, did 
not interest themselves in his case. He had all the mil- 
itary influence requisite, for his standing in the army was 
a most advantageous one, and all that was wanting was 
some one to call the attention of the Department in a 
special manner to his claims. The Colonel was very 
jsensitive and always felt this apparent neglect, but he was 
too modest ever to ask the good offices of any one in his 
favor. He felt that the politicians at home had ignored 
him entirely or had tried to do so, though it was impos- 
sible for them to remain in ignorance of his merits, for 



22 

the papers and records were full of the deeds of the gal- 
lant Smvth: no fio-ht occurred in which his name did not 
honorably appear, and it was impossible for any one who 
watched the journals, not to discover that there was one 
officer from Delaware who was making a large ripple in 
military circles, and who by his own unaided efforts was 
enforcing the recognition of his merits without much 
reason for gratitude to those whose pleasure it should 
have been to advance him. 

The indignation of some of his friends at this ne- 
glectful treatment, found vent in poetry ; Surgeon Rey- 
nolds of the Irish Brigade resolved itself in the follow- 
ing lines addressed to the Colonel. 



•' Though stars are falling very thick. 

On many a curious spot ; 
And warrior? rising very quick, 

Who never heard a shot. 
Still though you periled limb and life. 

And many a fight went through, 
And laurels won in every strife, 

There's net a star for you, Tom Smyth, 
There's not a star for you." 

" 'Tis true, when close the hostile lines. 

The headlong charge you lead, 
And your sword, glory's beacon, shines 

In front of your Brigade ; 
But you can't like a courtier grin, 

No little work can do. 
So you perchance a ball may win; 

But there's no star for you, Tom Smyth, 
But there's no star for you." 

" Whene'er you tread the crimson sod. 

Your form and soul expand ; 
In olden times you'd seem a god, 

Not Hancock's self more grand. 



23 

But than your sword, a wily tongue, 

Far greater deeds can do : 
For while stars grace the gabby throng, 

There's not a star for you , Tom Smyth, 
There's not a star for you." 

" No coward in the ranks is seen 

When gallant Smyth appears, 
Men kindle at his voice and mien. 

And move on with gay cheers. 
Smyth's spirit moves the glowing mass, 

Deeds past their power they do ; 
Yet while such things you bring to pass, 

There's not a star for you, Tom Smyth, 
There's not a star for you." 

" But by you for no selfish cause 

Is battle's flag unfurled, 
You fight to save our glorious laws 

To bless the future world. 
Brave Hancock owns you're skilled and brave. 

The army owns it too ; 
Then the proud feeling you must have 

Ts rank and star for you, Tom Smyth, 
Is rank and star for you." 

Having joined tlie 2d Division — Major General Gib- 
bon commanding — whilst actively engaged in the move- 
ment that brought the army in front of Petersburg, 
there was no chance for him to be idle : all of his energies 
were called into play, and well did he acquit himself: he 
was in those continuous operations ceaseless in his efforts 
to keep his command up to the highest point of discip- 
line aud efficiency. 

The following report is a history of his operations 
for more than two months. 

" Hdqrs. 3d Brigade, 2d Div. 2d Army Coitps. 
In the Field, August 29, 1864. 
Capt. a. H. Embler, a. a. A. G. 

Captain : — I have the honor to submit the following report of 



24 

the operations of the Third Brigade from May 17, 1864, the date 
upon which I assumed command, to Jul}' 30, 1864, divided into four 
epochs, pursuant to special order No. 209, Headquarters army of 
the J'otomae. 

I. I assumed command about S. oO P. M. by order of Brig- 
adier General Gibbon, the army then being in the vicinity of 
Spottsylvania Court House. I was ordered to mass the Brigade 
in front of the Landrum House and near the vacated lino of the 
enemy's entrenchments, before daylight; which was accomplished, 
the Brigade being in column of battalions between the house and 
the road. Subsequently it was deployed into line by battalions in 
mass, and I was ordered by Brigadier General Gibbon to move for- 
ward in support of the Corcoran Legion. 

At daylight the Legion moved forward, and I followed at a 
short supporting distance. The first line was repulsed, and my 
Brigade, taking a position in a ravine, covered their retreat. 1 at 
once deployed a line of skirmishers and held this position until 
12.35 P. M., when in obedience to orders from General Gibbon, J 
withdrew to the second line of entrenchments where my command 
formed line of battle and rested. At 10, P. M. the Brigade moved 
to Anderson's Mills where it took po.sition. On the morning ol' 
May 19th, the command went into camp, the 1st Delaware Volun- 
teers being detailed for picket. At fi P. M. an order was received 
for the Brigade to march at once. The Brigade moved quickly to 
the Fredericksburg road. The order was soon countermanded, and 
the command returned to camp at Anderson's Mills. 

II. May 20th T received an order to move with my command 
at 11 P. y\. T moved at 11.20 P. 31.. taking the road toward Mat- 
tapony church, continuing the marching May 21st, passing Grimes' 
Station, passing through [Milford and Eowling Green and crossing 
the Ny River where the command wont into position, and threw up 
entrenchments, the 8th Ohio volunteers being detailed for picket. 

May 22d, I received orders from General Gibbon to take my 



25 

Brigade and make a reconnoisance to develop the strength and po- 
sition of the enemy. The llegiments composing the force were th^ 
14th Connecticut, 7th Virginia, 14th Indiana, 10th New York, 12th 
New Jersey, 4th Ohio. The 1st Delaware and 10th New York 
were employed in erecting earth works. I deployed the 14th Indi- 
ana and 4th Ohio volunteers as skirmishers. One Lieutenant and 
twenty men of the 10th New York were placed on the right and 
rear of the skirmish line to protect that flank, and two companies 
of the 14th Connecticut were similarly placed to protect the left 
flank. 

Colonel T. Gr. Ellis, 14th Connecticut volunteers and Lieut. 
Col. Carpenter, 4th Ohio volunteers, were assigned respectively to 
the command of the left and right wings of the skirmish line. 
Two companies of the 14th Connecticut were sent to reconnoitre 
the Hanover Junction Road. 

The 12th New Jersey and 10th New York, were placed in 
support of artillery near the Cross Roads, and the 7th Virginia 
stationed near the Cross Roads. The skirmish line was then pushed 
forward about two miles, finding nothing but cavalry or mounted in- 
fantry to oppose them. 

About 3 P. M. I received orders from Gen. Gibbon to halt, 
and I was subsequently ordered to assemble my command and re- 
turn to camp. On May 23d, the command marched at 7 j*i . M. to 
the North Anna River where the enemy were discovered to be 
posted in force. At noon my Brigade was massed behind a ridge 
of hills. At 4 P. M., the 4th Ohio was deployed as skirmishers and 
moved to the river bank where it becamt; engaged at once with the 
enemy on the opposite shore ; it was relieved at dark by the 7th 
Virginia. At 7 P. M. I was ordered by Gen. Gibbon to make a 
demonstration against the Railroad Bridge across the river. I 
moved the 8th Ohio and 14th Indiana to the bridge, where they 

D 



26 

opened fire on the enemy's skirmishers during the night — my Brig- 
ade entrenched itself. 

Shortly after midnight the enemy succeeded in burning the 
bridge. At 7 A. M. May 24, I received an order from Gen. Gib- 
bon to construct a rough bridge and cross a Kegiment as skirmish- 
ers. About 10.15 A. M. the bridge was completed and the 8th 
Ohio moved to the opposite side, deployed and advanced to the 
enemy's earthworks, which they occupied, the enemy having fallen 
back. 

The remainder of the Brigade was then crossed and took po- 
sition in line of battle. 

At 3 P. M. I was ordered to advance and ascertain the posi- 
tion of the enemy. The 1st Delaware and 108th New York were 
deployed as skirmishers, and advanced about a half a mile, the left 
swinging forward. At this point the enemy offered a strong resist- 
ance, and I deployed the 14th Connecticut to strengthen the line. 

I then moved forward again, but as the enemy were posted in 
rifle pits in the edge of a wood, while my skirmishers were obliged 
to pass on an elevated ploughed field, the line was again brought 
to a halt. I then addressed the 12th New Jersey to charge the 
enemy's rifle pits, which was done in fine style, the enemy being 
driven about five hundred yards. The enemy having been rein- 
forced, I brought up the 7th Virginia and 10th New York to 
strengthen the left centre of my line. The pressure still continu- 
ing strongest at this point, and the 19th Maine having reported to 
me, I ordered it also to that part of the line. 

Learning that the enemy were moving troops towards my right. 
I directed the 8th and 4th Ohio and 14th Indiana to take position 
to cover the right flank of my line of battle. At 5.30 P. M. the 
enemy made a determined attack on my centre. The 69th and 
170th New York, which had reported to me, were brought in to 
strengthen this part of the line, and the 4th and 8th Ohio and 
14th Indiana were moved from the right to the centre. This at- 



27 

tack of the eneuiy was handsomely repulsed. The 15th and 19th 
Massachusetts having reported to nie, I directed theui to form on 
the right, relieving the 12th New Jersey, 1st Delaware, 108th New 
York and 7th Virginia, which Regiments were formed in the rear 
and re-supplied with ammunition. The 69th Pennsylvania report- 
ing to me at this time, was formed on the left of my line of battle. 

Just at dark a vigorous attack was made by the enemy on my 
left, which threw the 67th and 170th New York into considerable 
disorder, which resulted in their falling back. I succeeded in ral- 
lying them, however, and formed that parf of the line at right 
angles with the main line. During the night my command threw 
up entrenchments. On the morning of the 25th, the first line was 
pushed forward with but little opposition, and on the right, breast- 
works were erected in advance of the previous position. The first 
line now consisted, from right to left, of the 7th Virginia, 108th 
New York, 1st Delaware, 8th Ohio, 12th New Jersey, 14th Con- 
necticut, 69th Pennsylvania, and 170th N. Y. The 4th Ohio, 14tli 
Indiana and 10th New York were in the second line. At dark the 
4th Ohio and 14th Indiana were moved by me to Doswell House, 
to cover the left flank of my position. 

At 5 P. M. May 26th I received orders from Gen. Gribbon to 
advance my skirmish line by swinging forward the left, and to dis- 
lodge a force of the enemy who held a salient position near the 
left of my line. At dark, I pushed forward the 69th Pennsylvania, 
170th New York, and two companies of the 14th Connecticut, who 
charged the enemy and drove him from his position. Soon after I 
received an order from Gen. Gibbon to be prepared to recross the 
North Anna. At 8 P. M., the Brigade moved across the river and 
bivouacked until morning. 

III. On May 27, the command marched to within a mile of 
Haunquartus Creek, where it bivouacked for the night. At noon 
May 28, we crossed the Pamunky River. At 1 P. M., I received 
an order to fall on the cavalry, which was subsequently counter- 



28 

manded, and uiy Brigade filed into the field on the left of the road 
and took position in two lines of battle. On May 29th, I was di- 
rected to swing forward the left of uiy command, now about a half 
a mile to the front, furni line of battle and entrench. Subsequent- 
ly I was ordered to hold the command in readiness to march at 
short notice. At 5.80 A. M., May 30th, the command marched 
acting as reserve. At 9.25 A. M., I was ordered to move further 
to the front. My Brigade was then formed in line of battle near 
the Jones' House. The 7th Virginia was directed to drive the 
enemy's Sharpshooters from a house about five hundred yards in 
front of my left flank, which they quickly accomplished. On May 
31st, I received orders to be in readiness to support the 1st Brigade. 
At 1 P. M. the command was marched across Tolopotomy Creek 
and massed in rear of the 1st Brigade. At 2 P. M. the 108th 
New YorK and 7th Virginia were sent to the support of the right. 
At dark, the 14th Connecticut, 8th Ohio, and 12th New Jer- 
sey were formed in an interval between the 1st and 2d Brigades. 
Soon after dark, the 8th Ohio was relieved, and returned to its 
original position. At 12.25 P. M., June 1st, I was ordered by Gen. 
Gibbon to be in readiness to march at once. This order was sub- 
sequently countermanded, and the Brigade threw up entrenchments. 
At dark, I was directed to occupy the earthworks, and relieve the 
First Brigade. At 9 P. M., the Brigade marched taking the road 
to Coal Harbor, which place it reached June 2d. At 2.20 P. M., 
June 2d, my Brigade was deployed in line of battle and by order 
of Gen. Gibbon advanced to a vacated line of rifle pits, where it 
took position under a severe fire from the enemy's skirmishers, who 
were concealed in rifle pits within short range of my right. At 5 
P. M., I was ordered to attack the enemy's position, but the attack 
was subsequently deferred. The 184th Pennsylvania reported to 
me. and was placed on the extreme right of my line. 

During the night sharp skirmishing occurred on my right. 
At 4.30 A. M., June 3d, J. was ordered to attack the enemy. I 



29 

formed my Brigade in line of battle and advanced and charged'the 
enemy's works. When the command arrived at from sixty to one 
hundred yards from the enemy's works, the ranks had become so 
thinned and the fire from the enemy's artillery and musketry was 
so destructive that the men were compelled to halt, and seek such 
shelter as presented itself. In this position, the command soon 
erected a rude breastwork. At 9 A. M., Berdan's Sharpshooters 
and a battalion of the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery report- 
ed to me. I deployed part of the Sharpshooters in front of skir- 
mishers and held the battalion of First Massachusetts Heavy Ar- 
tillery in reserve. At 4 P. M., the 164th New York, and the 
remaining battalion of 1st Massachusetts reported to me, which 
Regiments I formed on the opposite side of the ravine on my ex- 
treme right. My line strengthened their works, and was arranged 
from right to left, as follows : — 1st Massachusetts, 164th New York, 
14th Connecticut, 8th Ohio, 4th Ohio, 7th Virginia, 12th New 
Jersey, 10th New York, 1st Delaware, 14th Indiana. 

About 8 P. M., the enemy opened upon us a terrible artillery 
fire, which lasted about thirty minutes, after which he charged 
along my whole line. He was repulsed with considerable loss. 
During the night one-half the command were kept awake and un- 
der arms. In this action Lieutenant Benjamin Y. Draper, A. A. 
D. C, on my staff, a brave and gallant young ofiicer, was killed 
At 10.30 A. M., June 4th, the enemy opened on us a heavy artil- 
lery fire, which continued until 11.35, doing but little injury. 
Sharp skirmishing was kept up all day. At 8.40 P. M., the brisk 
skirmish changed to a very heavy musketry fire on both sides, fol- 
lowed by a short artillery duel, which did no damage to my Brigade, 
except the wounding of one of my staff orderlies, private James 
Kay, 10th New York. Severe skirmishing continued all day. 

June 5th, in the afternoon, my standard bearer, Private 
Elliott, 10th New York, was mortally wounded whilst carrying an 
order. At 8.30 P. M., the enemy commenced a vigorous attack 



30 

with artillery and musketry, which lasted twenty-four minutes 
without doing injury. Heavy skirmishing continued during June 
6th and until 4 P. M. June 7th, when a cessation of hostilities was 
ordered, to give opportunity to bury the dead. During the 8th 
and 9th of June, there was very little skirmishing, and on the 10th 
my command was relieved from duty in the entrenchments. There 
was skirmishing all day June 11th. At dark June 12th, the com- 
mand marched to the left. 

IV. The Brigade marched all day, June 13th, and encamped 
near Wilcox's Landing on James River. About dark, June 14th, 
we crossed James River on transports and encamped at Windmill 
Point. At 10.30 A. 31., June 15th, the Brigade moved towards 
Petersburg, and about 10 P. JI., relieved the troops of the l-8th 
Army Corps. Skirmishing during the IGth. 

On June 17th, I was ordered to report with my command to 
Gen. Barlow. On June IStb, I took position at daylight, and at 4 
A. M., advanced upon the enemy's position and discovered that he 
had fallen back about half a mile. During the day the Brigade 
charged twice. After skirmishing during the 19th and 20th, the 
command was relieved and marched to the left, about three miles 
and encamped. At 8 A. M., June 21st, the Brigade marched and 
took position on the left of Jerusalem Plank road, where the ene- 
my was found entrenched. In this position we threw up 
breastworks. 

At 3 P. M., June 22d, the enemy attacked the troops on our 
left, turned the flank of the first line and captured a battery and 
many prisoners. On the 23d, the enemy vacated the line of works 
they had captured. On June 24th, my command moved to the 
rear, and relieved some of the 5th Corps. We remained in this 
position until June 27th, when the Brigade was deployed to picket 
the rear of the army, remaining on picket until June 29th, when 
I was ordered to move to the entrenchments of the 6th Corps. 



31 

On July 2d, the command moved to the right, and on the 11th 
commenced tearing down the breast-works in front of them. On 
July 12th, my Brigade was on picket, and continued on that duty 
until the morning of July 15th, when they were relieved by troops 
of the 5th Corps, and went into the rear of the Southall House. 
In the evening of the 15th, the command marched to Haines' 
House and commenced to tear down the old rebel works in the 
vicinity, returning to camp on the morning of the 16th. The Bri- 
gade remained in Camp until July 21st, when they were set to 
work making a covered way in the rear of the 5th Corps en- 
trenchments. 

On July 22d, the Brigade moved into the entrenchments pre- 
viously occupied by Ferrero's Division of Colored troops, remaining 
in these works until July 26th, when at 3.30 P. M., the command 
was massed near Corps Headquarters, and at 4.25 moved off to- 
wards the Appomatox, which river we crossed on pontoons during 
the night. At daylight on the 27th, the Brigade crossed the 
James River, and were soon engaged in skirmishing with the ene- 
my. On July 28th, my command marched to support the cavalry, 
and at dark took up a new position and entrenched. During the 
night of the 29th, we marched back to the vicinity of Petersburg, 
and at daylight were massed in the rear of the 5th Corps. After 
the explosion of the mine and the failure of the assault on the 
enemy's works, the command returned to camp near the Southall 
House. 

The loss of the Brigade during the campaign, including the 
battle of the Wilderness, when Col. Carroll was in command, is as 
follows : — 

Commissioned Officers — Killed, - - - 22 

Wounded, - - - 12 

Missing, . - - 9 

Enlisted Men — Killed, - - - - 254 

Wounded, - - - 1320 

Missing, - - - - 289 



32 

Total number of casnalties : 

Commissioned officers, - - - - . lOo 

Enlisted men. ...... is,y2 

Grand total. . - • . . 1955 

The conduct of botli officers and men during the campaign, 
lias been in every respect unexceptionable. It is a source of ex- 
treme gratification to me to be able to recommend to the Major 
General commanding the Division, the gentlemen of my staff, for 
the prompt and efficient manner in which they executed all my 
orders. Their gallantry on the field of battle has seldom been sur- 
passed. 

Very Respectfully, 

Your obedient servant. 

TnoMAS A. Smyth. 
Colonel Commanding Third Brigade, 3d Division, 2d Army Corp?,. 

On July 9th, Col. Smj^th was placed temporarily in 
command of the Division. This was a mark of confi- 
dence, since there was a Colonel in the same Division 
Avho ranked him. Whilst in command, he invited on a 
certain Sabhath the various ministers of the Division to 
come to his headquarters, and sent orders to the Brigade 
Commanders to bring their commands over, that reli- 
gious services might be held. lie wished that his exam- 
ple might be good, and if possible the religious sense of 
the soldiers stimulated. Immense coverings of pine 
l)Ouglis screened the assemblage from the sun, and the 
pine browse on the ground atibrded soft and lowly seats' 
All the Bands in the Division were present and gave 
tine mnsic, and the officers led in the singing. The 
pi iiy'jfs were fervent and appropriate, and the remarks 



33 

from the differeut ministers were well adapted to 
the circumstances of time and place, and there were 
few in that congregation who did not teel the happy in- 
fluences of those Sabbath services. 

The following is taken from his Diary, as the record 
of some facts concerning the second Deep Bottom fight. 
•'August 14, at 9 A, M. the Division was disembarked and massed 
in the rear of the works erected by us on the 30th of July. At 
11 o'clock I received orders to march to the front, posting one Brig- 
ade on the New Market Road, the 2d on the — road : the first 
Brigade I massed on the right, and at 4 oclock I charged the 
enemy's works, but owing to a deep ditch and a tangled mass of 
briers, it was found impossible to get through : at dark I had the 
Brigade withdrawn, aud massed the Division in rear of 2d Brigade." 
" On the 15th at 3.30 o'clock I withdrew the command a short dis- 
tance to the rear, leaving a strong picket line in front. At dark I 
relieved the 1st Division picket and placed Colonel Murphey's Brig- 
ade in the breastwork. The 10th Corps was to attack at 5 o'clock, 
but from some unaccountable reason, the attack did not take place," 
" Augiist 16th. They are to attack some time to-day. I sent^the 
3d Brigade to report to Gen. Birney. When Birney made the at- 
tack, I made a demonstration from the left and right of my line, 
the 7th Michigan on the left and the 2d Brigade on the right with 
a section of Dow's Battery in the centre. I drew the enemy to my 
front." 

It will have been observed that during all these op- 
erations, Smyth was commanding the Division, Major 
Gen. Gibbon being absent, and the impression was gen- 
eral, that if an important engagement should come otf, 
the Colonel would do his utmost to demonstrate his abil- 
ity to handle a Division, and no one questioned the re- 
sult of the effort. 



34 

The Battle of Reams Station followed quickly on 
the heels of these movements, and we cannot do better 
than let him tell the part he took in it. 

" August 24tli, at 3 A. M. took up our line of march for Reams 
Station and formed line on the left of the 1st Division. At 7i 
o'clock, T occupied the works of the 1st Division, and posted my 
pickets. At dark I closed to the right to give way to that Division ; 
orders to march at 5.30 A. M. to guard the working party." " Au- 
gust 25, I received orders to march out the Rail Road : the enemy 
appeared in force in our front on the road. I received orders to 
deploy one of my Regiments as skirmishers — 1st Delaware — and 
support it by the 12th New Jersey. I moved forward about half 
a mile, driving in the enemy's cavalry videttes. My right flankers 
reported the enemy on my right. I had the 10th New York de- 
ployed to protect my flank. I advanced about a mile driving the 
enemy to their works, but found it impossible to cross the swamp 
in their front I fell back a short distance, taking position behind 
a rail fence when the enemy charged me, but was handsomely re- 
pulsed by my line of skirmishers. I soon after received an order from 
Gen. Gibbon to make another attack and find out what was in my 
front. I deployed the 7th Virginia and 14th Connecticut, support- 
ed on the left flank by the 12th New Jersey, 69th Pennsylvania in 
the rear and 10th New York on the right. I charged again to the 
swamp, and found it impossible to cross under the heavy fire. I fell 
back to the fence where I remained until I received orders from 
Major Gen. Gibbon to bring my command back to the works. By 
this time I was very nearly surrounded but succeeded in finding a 
gap and brought the Brigade in safely. I was posted by Major 
Gen. Gibbon on the left of the '.id Brigade, where I erected a work. 
The enemy made three charges on the 1st Division and were re- 
pulsed. 

They then opened a most destructive tire of artillery which 



35 

took my line right in the rear, followed by a charge on the 1st 
Division, and struck a Regiment of " Heavy's " who broke, giving 
up the work to the rebels. I faced my Brigade about and charged 
through the corn field and up the hill to the other side, but the 
men being so much exhausted from the operations of the morning 
they fell out on the way : by the time I got to the hill. I had so few 
left that I was repulsed. I fell back to my old works. The enemy 
having captured 12 pieces of artillery, the 12d New Jersev, 14th 
Connecticut and 10th New York recaptured three of them : about 
Gh o'clock they attacked the 2d Brigade on my right : they fell back 
along my rear carrying the greater portion of my men along with 
them : the balance of my command I formed in the edge of the 
wood in the rear of the 1st Division : I took the 69th Pennsylvania 
to the front to bring off the 3 guns, but on the way I found they 
were being brought off by some of the men on the left of the 
1st Division. I posted the 69th Pennsylvania to protect the left 
flank of the three Regiments I had on the 1st Division left. " 

In September he was again in command of the Divi- 
sion about three weeks, Major General Gibbon having 
been temporarily assigned to the command of the 18th 
army corps. 

On October 1st 1864, Thomas A. Smyth was com- 
missioned Brigadier General. The evening that his 
commission was received by him was one to be remem- 
bered. The Division was in the trenches in front of 
Petersburg, and the gratifying intelligence was speedily 
conveyed to it. All were enthusiastic over the event. 
Staff officers and others called upon him immediately, 
and congratulations poured in upon him from all quar- 
ters. The Division staff' wishing to testify their satisfac- 
tion at his well earned promotion, sent a man at once to 
City Point, directing him to purchase the finest pair of 



36 

shoulder straps that could be found in that mart. With- 
in three hours the man returned with the present, and 
found the General at Division Headquarters, beaming 
with pleasure at his advancement and the general joy 
manifested. The shoulder straps were at once presented 
much to his astonishment. ( So deeply was he moved by 
this slight testimonial that at first he was unable to utter 
a word : a tear gathered in his eye, and at last he feeling- 
ly remarked " Gentlemen, I had no right to expect this.") 

Early in the night the welcome news reached the 
troops in the trenches, forts, and on the picket lines, and 
such a Hhout as was set up by those enthusiastic admir- 
ers of this brave man, was seldom ever heard along those 
lines : the cheering lasted nearly an hour, extending the 
entire Division liue, and being taken up by the pickets. 
So hearty wore the cheers and so prolonged, that the 
enemy inquired as to the occasion of them. Throughout 
the camps of the Brigade it was a season of jollification, 
and upon the whole, the manner in which the news of 
the promotion was received there, was flattering in the 
extreme. 

Measures were at once taken by the troops to sho\v 
in a more material shape their appreciation of the honor 
conferred upon their popular commander. 

The following address was delivered to the General 
on the 17th of October by the non-commissioned officers 
and privates of the 63d liegiment, New York State Vol- 
unteers, Irish Brigade. 

" General, 

We come this day to express our delight at your 
well-earned promotiou and to bear with usour ofleringof affection. 



37 

We have purchased for you a powerful war-horse, and with our 
warmest wishes for your welfare and prosperity, we give him to his 
new master. 

Ours is indeed the widow's gift — the non-commissioned officers 
and privates of the 63d Regiment — Irish Brigade ; we have not 
rank or wealth, and you knowing it, will prize our offering as much 
as the most costly. 

We have no connection with you, as our Brigade is not now 
under your command, but the ties of affection still remain and will 
forever. We found in you a strict disciplinarian, but you had the 
singular felicity of combining mildness of manner with firmness of 
purpose, and we endured with pleasure every labor you commanded, 
for we knew your lofty motives and your love for us. 

Brave, courteous and humane, you bring before our eyes, a liv- 
ing portrait of the Irish hero of yore, and may the day come, when 
after preserving the glorious union of this land, you will lead us 
across the ocean to raise to independence and happiness our own 
dear, uuforgotteu Ireland." 

On the 22d lie wae the recipient of a still more hand- 
some present. The Brigade without his knowledge had 
sent an agent to Washington who purchased a saddle, 
bridle, saddle cloth, breast strap, saddle bags, holsters, 
sword, sash, belt and shoulder straps, all of the most ex- 
quisite workmanship, and costing nearly twelve hundred 
dollars ; and the First Delaware had purchased for him 
a splendid horse. 

On the morning of the day on which the presenta- 
tion was to be made, he was influenced to leave his Head 
quarters for a few hours in order that time might be given 
to arrange the surprise for him. During his absence the 
presents were all arranged in a tent, and the horse was 



38 

dressed in the handsome trappings. When the General 
returned from his ride, he was astonished to see nearly 
every officer of the Brigade and many of the enlisted 
men in front of his tent : he inquired very innocently 
and naturally what the occasion for the assemblage was, 
when he was conducted to the tent where the presents 
were displayed ; the horse was led out gaily caparisoned, 
and the General was persuaded to mount in order to test 
the qualities of the animal. The General in a pleasant 
vein acknowledged the gifts, and some witty speeches 
followed in which he was duly lauded : the greatest en- 
thusiasm prevailed, and every man present felt prond of 
the General, and that he deserved every favor and com- 
pliment he had received. !N^othing was ever done grudg- 
ingly for him. 

The following account of the engagement at Hatch- 
er's Run October 27th, is taken from his Diary. 

" Orders to march at .3 A. M. : my Brigade iu advance : rode with 
a squad of cavalry leading: surjjrised and drove the rebel videttes 
in : at Cedar creek we were checked by a strong force of rebs : my 
Brigade formed in line of battle and charged, wading the creek to 
their arm pits and carried the works in fine style, pushing the enemy 
and advancing in good order. After crossing the open field, we 
halted the command and formed the line again, putting the 1st Del- 
aware out as skirmishers, who advanced and drove the enemy three 
fourths of a mile. Wo then took the road to Anderson's 31ills, 
the Isfc Brigade in advance: were put in position by Major Gen. 
Hancock, and deployed the 4th Company of the 14th Connecticu 
as skirmishei's and charged a Battery which limbered up and left. 
I soon after received orders to support the 2d Brigade, and advance 
to the mill on the right of the road. Orders to form on right of 



39 

2d Brigade, and while performing tliis movement, the rebels advanc- 
ed and drove the cavalry back. I ordered the 1st Delaware by the 
left flank and charged the rebel line, following them to the Creek 
and taking their works : this position I held all day, subject to a 
fire frotn all flanks." 

His modesty influenced him, in this account to omit 
mention of his own deeds, but his old command will not 
forget the gallant style in which he dashed into the creek, 
waving his hat in his hand, and cheering the men on by 
his example; the enemy fled in confusion, and he at the 
head of his troops spurred on after them. Major Gen. 
Hancock, in a letter written long after, spoke of Smyth 
as having on this occasion, " led his command in the 
most dashing manner." 

A few days after the conclusion of this movement, 
the General having applied for a short leave of absence, 
received it; his object was to join the masonic order, 
which he did whilst in Wilmington. 

In the latter part of JSTovember he was again assigned 
to tlie tempoi^ary command of the Division, and again in 
December. As Gen. Gibbon was shortly after assigned 
to the command of the 24th Army Corps, it was now 
hoped by all that Smyth would retain command of the 
Division, but on the 25th of February, Gen. William 
Hayes a senior Brigadier was assigned, and Smyth re- 
turned to the command of the Brigade, but not until he 
had manoeuvered the Division in the series of movements 
about Hatcher's Run, embracing the 5th, 6th and 7th of 
February. 

His report says : 

" On the 5th at 7 A. M. we took up our line of march, 1st 



40 

2d and 3d Brigades. 300 cavalry reported to me and the lOth New 
York Battery. "We took the road to Armstronsj's Mills, drivina- 
the enemy's videttes and skirmishers across Hatcher's Run. I took 
up position with my left resting on the run, and right on tlie swamp, 
with the 20th Massachusetts and 69th Pennsylvania volunteers on 
the right. The enemy opened several times through the day with 
artillery, but we did not reply to them. -In the afternoon at 4.30, 
they made a fierce attack on the 20th Massachusetts and G9th Penn- 
sylvania, driving them in ; the 3d Brigade of the 3d Division formed 
in their rear with the 12th New Jersey; the attack was gallantly 
repulsed." 

'• February 6th at 4 P. M. the 5th Corps made a reconnoisance 
to Burgess' Mill, and after a sharp fire of musketry they fell back 
to their old position, followed closely by the enemy, when my left 
became engaged : Smyth's Battery did good execution." 

Major General Humphreys commancliiio; tlie 2cl 
Corps at that time, in a printed general order says, in 
speaking of the operations, " while all did their dat}^ 
some were favored by fortune in being placed at the 
points against which the enemy's ejfforts were concen- 
trated, and were thus aftbrded the opportunity of display- 
ing conspicuouslytheir soldierly qualities. Among those 
favored were Brigadier General Smyth, commanding 2d 
Division, Brevet Brigadier General McAllister command- 
ing 3d Brigade, 3d Division, and Col. Matthew Murphy, 
commanding 2d Brigade, 2d Division. 

The enemy concentrated a powerful force, composed 
of parts of two corps — TlilPs and Gordon's on the right 
of Smyth — Murphy's Brigade and the artillery — and in 
front of McAllister, and made a determined effort to 
break our line. They were skillfully and gallantly met 



41 

and repulsed with severe loss to them and slight to us." 
It was during this winter when encamped along 
Hatcher's Run that he made himself a conspicuous target 
for the enemy's pickets. One afternoon whilst riding 
along outside of our picket line with a staff officer, mak- 
ing an informal reconnoisance on his own responsil)ility, 
he was fired upon at very close range by two or three of 
the enemy's pickets, and barely escaped the shots : the 
night following, some of these same men deserted to our 
lines and were brought to Division Headquarters. Whilst 
their names were being taken, one of the men having 
scanned the General very critically, exclaimed, " why 
you are the very General I shot at this afternoon." He 
added that the mark was so good, and the temptation of 
putting out of the way a handsome Union General Officer 
was too great to resist. The General had been shot at 
so frequently in his rides along the picket line, and in the 
skirmishes where he so often led, that he began to have 
some faith in his invulnerability. 

Now commenced the last of the many campaigns in 
which he had participated. In his Diary for March 25th 
he says : 

" 6 A. M. orders to be in readiness to march at a moments' 
notice. 2 P. M., I took 500 men of my own Brigade and made an 
attack on the rebel right, charged through the creek, carried their 
works and t09k some prisoners." " March 29th at 6 A. M., I left 
camp in advance of the Division ; the 7th Michigan reported to me • 
I marched out the Vaughn Road and took up position to the rio-ht 
of that road." March 30th advanced at 6 A. M. : my Brigade in 
reserve : the enemy fell back behind their line of works over Hatch- 
er's Run : we took up position over the creek, right resting on the 

F 



42 

"run," conDecting with the 2d Division, 24th Corps: raining in 
torrents all day and night." 

" March 31st at 1 A. M. I moved n)y Brigade to the left and be- 
hind McAllister's. Very heavy firing on the left; orders to ad- 
vance all along the line at 11 A. M. I advanced my line and 
drove the enemy behind their works : slashing heavy along their 
works : impossible to get through at dark back to the line. 

"April 1st, at 5 o'clock my Brigade was placed in reserve : at 7 
o'clock T received orders to report to Gen. Mott and commenced 
the movement when I received orders to return to my old position." 

"April 2d, I received orders to assault the enemy's works at 
4 o'clock A. M. 3 o'clock orders countermanded : orders to report 
to Gen. Mott ; heavy artillery and musketry along the line all night. 
The enemy left the works at 10 o'clock : marched to near Peters- 
burg : at 2 o'clock took the " Fox Hill " road to Sheridan and the 
5th Corps : bivouacked on the South Side Road. " April 3d orders 
to return towards Petersburg at sunrise : remained until 11 5 and 
then took the road towards Lynchburg : at 10 P. M. bivouacked." 
" April 4th orders to march at 6 A. M. ; took up our line of march 
at 7. April 5th at 8 o'clock took up the march for the Danville 
Bail Boad, and took up position at the left of the 5th Corps at 
Jetersville Station. April 6th, orders to march at 5 A. M., and at 
6 o'clock to assault the enemy's works. " 

This was the last line he ever wrote in his Diary. 
During that day there were continuous movements of 
troops, and on the following morning — the 7th, the skir- 
mish began at " High Bridge." 

The passage of the stream spanned by this Rail 
Road Bridge was disputed by the enemy, and there was 
some little difficulty experienced in their dislodgement ; 
but after a short time, a passage was effected, though the 



43 

immeuse structure and a smaller bridge for carriages, 
had been fired : the fire on the latter was extinguished 
before any damage was done, but several spans of the 
former were destroyed. A large number of guns were 
captured across the stream, and the enemy was promptly 
pursued ; the Brigade of Smyth in advance, constantly 
eno-ao-ingthe enemy till Farmville was reached. 

A short distance from that Town our forces had been 
temporarily checked by the heavy fire from the rebel ar- 
tillery and sharpshooters. The General was in advance 
with the skirmish line as was his frequent custom, as he 
always wished to form an intelligent conception as to 
what was transpiring. He was mounted, with his staff 
about him : it was now about 11 o'clock'in the morning, 
with a cold, disagreeable rain falling. There was an ir- 
regular fire of musketry going on. Suddenly he was 
seen to fall on the right side of his horse ; his staff quickly 
dismounted and caught him : he was laid down, and it 
was discovered that he had been hit by a rebel sharp- 
shooter. A small conical ball had entered the left side 
of the face, about an inch from the mouth, cutting away 
a tooth : the ball continued its course to the neck, frac- 
turing a cervical vertebra, and driving a fragment of the 
bone upon the spinal cord : entire paralysis resulted. He 
was at once placed upon a stretcher and tenderly moved 
by a relay of sorrowing men to a farm house in the vi- 
cinity where the Corps Hospital was established, and 

where he received all the attention possible. 
/ 

On the following morning— the 8th— he was started 
in a very comfortable ambulance to Burkesville Station — 



44 

distant about 12 miles, as it was not deemed wise to keep 
liim in that region when the army was in rapid motion. 
A Surgeon and his two aids — Lieutenants llTones and 
Tanner were sent with him, and he was rendered as com- 
fortable as circumstances permitted. He commenced 
failing sensibly by the time he had reached the residence 
of Col. Burke — about two miles from the station. The 
General, conscious that he was rapidly sinking, requested 
the party to stop with him there, saying that it was all 
over with him, and there was no use in his going any fur- 
ther. Col. Burke and family showed the General the 
greatest kindness and care, and this gentle soldier, never 
forgetting what was due to those about him, was so con- 
siderate and gentlemanly in his last hours, as to thank 
Col. Burke and family, just a short time before his death, 
for their hospitality and kindness to him and his attend- 
ants, telling them that he hoped that they would be re- 
warded. 

At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 9th, he died as 
he had lived — a hero : he was perfectly resigned to his 
fate. Conscious within a very short period before his 
decease, he talked calmly. Not a groan or complaint 
had escaped him. He showed no emotion, but as a stoic 
endured the reflection that his once powerful, vigorous 
frame was but a complete wreck of humanity liable at 
any moment to be engulfed. When in an interview with 
his Surgeon as to the prospects of his case, he was in- 
formed as to the chances against his recovery, he remark- 
ed that if one man in a hundred recovered under a like' 
injury, he should be that man — thus showing his deter- 
mination. He added " now, Doctor, you know I am no 



45 

coward, and that I am not afraid to die," and throughout 
he spoke cahnly about passing away. 

His body was removed the same day to Burkesville 
and embalmed, and at the expiration of two days was 
transmitted to Wilmington for interment. 

He was the last General officer on the Union side 
killed in the war, was the last man wounded in the old 
Division which he had so ably commanded, and he died 
on the day of Lee's surrender. He had had three staff 
officers killed, and three horses shot under him. 

To say that a deep gloom overspread not only his 
old command, but all others that knew him, would be 
but a feeble tribute to his worth. When it was known 
that Smyth was mortally wounded, and would never 
again appear on the field, strong men wept: men who 
were not accustomed on any occasion to evince much 
feeling, wept for the untimely fate of the brave man who 
had led them on so many blood}^ fields : in the operations 
which were now culminating in the overthrow of treason, 
they would miss his inspiring presence, his commanding 
form, his dashing style and his hearty salutation. The 
hero whom they had loved with such a manly love, and 
whom they would have followed wherever he led, was 
stricken and was surely dying, and sincere and profound 
was their grief. With these men he would never need 
anything to perpetuate his memory : his daring bravery 
and deeds of gallantry would embalm him there. 

The sad event served to mar the general joy derived 
from the series of victories which our army was gaining, 
and in the midst of the rejoicings, the thought would 



46 

obtrude itself " how mournful that Smyth was not there 
to receive the inspiration of events ! " But he had fought 
his last fight, and bequeathed to his old command the 
remembrance of his gallant acts. 

All the General and other officers who knew him or 
knew of him, expressed in the most feeling manner, their 
sense of the loss the army had sustained, and those with 
whom he had served were the most sensible of this loss. 

The question has been asked by those who did not 
enjoy an acquaintance VTith General Smyth, and who 
were surprised to see him emerge so abruptly from a 
condition of obscurity, as it were, and take an enviable 
position before the military world with an ease and grace 
that appeared native to him — in what did his power con- 
sist, and by what means did he secure such a decided 
hold upon the minds and hearts of the people that he 
came in contact with ? 

It would be difficult to analyze with precision this 
force, and it would be safer to say that his influence was 
attained by means of a combinatiou of elements that 
blended v/ith no little harmony. Circumstances did 
much to develop in him the character of a hero, but much 
of the development process was due to himself and the 
judicious employment of the agencies that were available : 
to aid him, he had unusual force of character: a strong, 
vigorous mind that quickly received the impress of 
things that would be of practical utility in his line of 
duty, true nobility of soul that impressed all who came 
in his way, and a renaarkable energy that convinced all 
that he was in earnest. 

The great lever that served to elevate him was his 



47 

acknowledged gallantry. Many well fought fields attest- 
ed his intrepid character. His was no brute courage : 
if he had a contempt for danger, it was not because he 
did not appreciate it, but because he felt he was able to 
meet it in any shape, and be proof against any demoral- 
ization : he reviewed the possible consequences in the 
spirit of a philoaopher, and his noble devotion to the 
cause inspired him with the valor to face them as he did 
his foes. His place in the fray was always in the front, 
and he took a peculiar pride in thus posting himself and 
watching with absorbing interest the ever shifting scenes 
of a field of battle, and his troops seeing him there felt 
an increasing confidence and a desire to appear to 
advantage to his watchful eye. N"o fear under these cir- 
cumstances when shot and shell were hurtline; about, 
ever marked his bearing : not an emotion was betrayed 
on his countenance : he was calm and placid, always re- 
taining his self possession, giving and executing orders 
with the same coolness that he showed on a dress parade. 

He was never known to shirk a duty or danger, but 
always entered upon one or the other with the greatest 
alacrity, as though he were fond of them. He was con- 
scientious in the discharge of every labor assigned him, 
and no slight obstacle was allowed to interfere with its 
execution, and his own comfort he never considered, and 
under any inflictions very rarely did he lose his amia- 
bility. 

While his gallantry peculiarly fitted him for a sol- 
dier, with a natural aptitude for the business of a mili- 
tarv life, he had a certain stoicism which to2:ether with 



48 

his great physical endurance enabled him to offer a good 
example in bearing uncomplainingly, fatigue, exposure 
and privations. His phj^sique was splendid, and indica- 
ted vigorous health and fine muscular development, and 
there was the utmost symmetry of form : every action 
denoted the highest state of vitality. He was military 
in his bearing, and looked the perfect soldier. 

Though not a martinet, he possessed much system 
in his military government, and always succeeded in dis- 
ciplining troops without undue harshness, and bringing 
out their fighting qualities very prominently. He had 
the faculty of order and could bring up a command to a 
desirable point of efficiency very readily. Witness his 
power over the Irish Brigade which became perfectly 
plastic in his hands. 

So marked was the change that was eftected in that 
command by his rule in a very brief period after-he was 
assigned to it, that he was complimented in a very hand- 
some manner by the Division commander. Again, the 
First Delaware owed much of the morale which distin- 
guished it in its entire service to his leadership: he im- 
parted to it zeal and confidence, and assisted it to make 
its reputation by inspiring it with his own gallantry. 
He delighted in the fame of the old Eegiment even after 
he left it, and took the warmest interest in all that con- 
cerned it. 

Much of his streno^tli was in the fact that he was a 
gentleman in every sense of the word. His sense of 
delicacy was so nice, his native refinement so acute that 



49 

he was seldom or never heard to ntter a sentence that 
was calculated to offend the most fastidious : he was 
scrupulously correct in the style of his language: in all 
companies met together for sociality in the field where 
mirth reigned, he was, though genial as any, always dig- 
nified to a certain extent, and always the gentleman. 
His characteristic propriety of expression was not stud- 
ied : it was natural indeed, and was but the reflex of a 
mind capable of originating nothing that was gross or 
of a debasing tendency. An inborn politeness and con- 
scientious regard for the feelings of others, guided him 
in all of his relations with his fellow-men. 

Though of no high educational culture, there were 
few men who could appear to greater advantage in so- 
ciety of gentlemen. Courteous in his manner, genial in 
his style, his habits of close observation, his acute per- 
ceptions, his naturally strong and vigorous mind, his 
readiness to talk, his faculty of readily comprehending, 
with his travels and varied experiences, made amends in 
a great measure for the deficiencies in his early educa- 
tion. In almost any society he would have been accept- 
ed, without question, as a cultured gentleman. 

There was a certain magnetism of manner about 
him to which all yielded : it was a force of fascination 
which he had in a pre-eminent degree, and which was 
remarkable in one who had enjoyed no greater advantages 
of early life than he had. All who came within the 
sphere of this influence, felt and acknowledged this 
quality. It was a moral force that made for him friend- 
ships aad attachments that sometimes partook of the 



50 

romantic. As the embodiment of all that was noble and 
generous in human nature, one could not help being at- 
tracted. Any one could see in him true nobility of soul, 
heroism of the most exalted kind, and a chivalry that 
adorned. 

Add to these qualities, a modesty as great as his 
valor, and a life of unselfishness, swayed by the purest 
of motives, and it may be asked, is it surprising that he 
was a popular officer and man, and that he had such hosts 
of friends who took a warm personal interest in his 
welfare, and that such an eminence in the military world 
should have been accorded him ? 



Such to his revered memory is the tribute conveyed 
in this simple narrative, from one friend whose long and 
intimate army acquaintance with the deceased, was the 
basis for an admiration and love enduring. 



y 



k 



i 



